Advising

Declaring for a Math Major

First Major

Students prepare a long-range plan and declare first major in mathematics through the Premajor Advising Center. They are then assigned an official faculty advisor by the Director of Undergraduate Studies. First majors are required to meet with their advisors each semester during the registration interval. Students are expected to work together with their advisor to ensure that the program of study is consistent with the student's interests and professional goals.

Second Major or Minor

A student who has declared a second major or a minor in mathematics will receive formal advising in the department of their first major. However, second majors and minors or students considering a degree in mathematics may see the Director of Undergraduate Studies for advice on or a referral to an appropriate mathematics faculty member. A second major or minor in mathematics, or a change of major or minor, should be declared in the Office of the Registrar.

To schedule an appointment with the Academic Dean for mathematics, students majoring in math should call Dean Jeff Forbes (919-684-2130).

Choosing Abstract Algebra and Advanced Calculus Courses

Every mathematics major must take one course in abstract algebra (MATH 401 Introduction to Abstract Algebra or MATH 501 Introduction to Algebraic Structures I) and one course in advanced calculus (MATH 431 Advanced Calculus I or MATH 531 Basic Analysis I). To avoid conflicts during the final semesters of a major's program, these courses should be taken as early as practicable.

An essential part of these courses is proving mathematical theorems. Students with little exposure to proofs should probably take the 400 level version of these courses. Students who are comfortable with abstract ideas, and especially those students who are contemplating graduate work in mathematics, should consider taking the 500 level courses. The remaining courses may be chosen from both pure and applied areas of mathematics.

Probability and Statistics Courses

The introductory sequences in probability and statistics are MATH 230-342 and MATH 340-342. MATH 230 Probability and MATH 340 Advanced Introduction to Probability cover the basics of probability, the latter providing more depth and rigor. MATH 342D Statistics covers statistics, building on the material in MATH 230 and 340. Those desiring a further course in probability should select either MATH 581 Mathematical Finance or MATH 541 Applied Stochastic Processes or both.

The Department of Statistical Science offers a number of courses in statistics at various levels for students of varied mathematics backgrounds. Usually, such courses cannot be counted for mathematics major or minor credit unless they are cross-listed in the Department of Mathematics. The Director of Undergraduate Studies may approve certain statistics courses numbered above 500 for credit, but usually only courses that have a prerequisite of MATH 342D or its equivalent will be considered.